Chiefs Earn Point for OT; Can't Hang on For Win

April 5, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Dayton, OH - The Johnstown Chiefs wrapped up their 20th anniversary season in the ECHL with a 4-3 overtime loss against the Dayton Bombers in Dayton on Saturday night.

The Bombers struck first in the opening frame when Scott Kelman took a cross-ice feed from Peter Pohl and jammed it by Andrew Penner at 3:38. It was the first time in five games that the Chiefs allowed the opening goal of the game.

Saturday's game was a prelude to the Chiefs' and Bombers' opening round playoff series, and if it was any indicator the series will not be for the faint of heart. The first period featured three fights, two between Jason Spence and Britt Dougherty and one between Nathan Saunders and Ryan MacGregor. Spence and Dougherty wasted no time getting acquainted as their first fight came three seconds into the opening frame.

In the second period, the flood gates opened up a bit, and the goals started to pour in. The Chiefs used three goals in the second frame to take their first lead of the contest. Alex Imbeault tied it at one with his 26th of the year with 4:02 gone by. Randy Rowe made a great feed to Imbeault from behind the net, and it took a slight flick of the wrists to put it in. Dayton's Mike Walsh finished a very similar play off of a pass from Kelman to re-up the Bombers' one-goal lead at 11:38.

Johnstown picked up two unanswered goals to close out the second, though. After Brandon Straub missed the net with a point shot, a workman-like effort from Joel Gasper got the puck to the front, and Jason Spence slammed it home for his sixth of the year with 3:41 left. Brian Deeth got in on the act with his first goal as a forward, sixth overall, when he slid a backhander through Jeremy Duchesne's five-hole. Jean Desrochers earned the lone assist, his 28th of the year.

The Chiefs fought tooth-and-nail to make their lead hold up in the third period, but Dayton's Britt Dougherty stuffed in a puck from the side of the net with 20 seconds left in regulation. The Bombers pulled the goalie for the extra attacker and simply outmanned the Chiefs down low.

In the overtime period, Joey Olson took a tripping minor at the 2:17 mark, and Greg Labenski was able to lift a slap shot past Andrew Penner for the game winner. It was the first power play goal the Chiefs allowed in 26 opportunities against.

Penner made 34 saves in a losing effort, including a fantastic stop against Petr Pohl on a breakaway in overtime. The Chiefs power play was unable to score, going 0-for-5.

The Chiefs' return to home ice for Game 2 of the first round of the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs on Tuesday, April 8. Johnstown will face off against the Dayton Bombers at the Cambria County War Memorial at 7:05 PM. Game 3, if necessary, will be played on Wednesday, April 9 with a 7:05 PM faceoff.



ECHL Stories from April 5, 2008


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